iFixit - Answers With Device "Mac mini Late 2020"

Mac mini Late 2020: What tools do I need to disassemble a M1 Mac Mini 2020

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:53:26 -0700

I have torx bits, but for some reason they won't work/fit. So I bought another set, same problem.

⟐ Commented February 18, 2026 at 21:53 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Can you add ram to the M1 or M2 Mac Mini?

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:58:49 -0700

I want to know if these are upgradable before I purchase. Thanks!

⟐ Commented December 24, 2025 at 0:58 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Problems trying to use an external drive as the boot drive (home)

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 22:55:51 -0700

My experience with the SanDisk Pro G40 on a Mac mini M1 has been frustratingly unstable. The drive is often invisible at cold boot, only appearing after unplug-replug or reboot. macOS updates frequently abort with LocalPolicy or sealed-system errors, sometimes forcing Recovery reinstalls.

The startup-disk choice resets, Mail and Music/TV libraries rebuild or vanish after path changes, and data seems lost. After sleep, the SSD randomly disconnects; Spotlight and iCloud loops rebuild indexes endlessly. FileVault, TRIM, and Thunderbolt power management make things worse, causing freezes or corrupted mounts. Cloning is nearly useless—only a clean migration gives stability.

From my testing and countless reports online, external booting on Apple Silicon is still technically possible but feels deliberately neglected by Apple and gets more fragile, slower, and frustrating with each macOS release.

⟐ Commented November 18, 2025 at 22:55 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: AC2 "Unexpected device state 'DFU' expected 'RestoreOS'" Error 4014

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 07:55:37 -0700

My mac mini has sadly been rendered unbootable after a power surge. It will chime and immediately turns to an SOS blinking amber light.

As a disclaimer, I know this may be a hardware issue and that is why I am here. I have already taken it to Apple and they had no luck, telling me it needs a logic board replacement. It wasn't worth the money so this has turned into just a slow learning project that I've been chipping away at as a hobby.

I have tried to restore it with Apple Configurator and another MacBook, but after putting it into DFU mode and waiting for it to restore, it fails with this error (4014)

Unexpected device state 'DFU' expected 'RestoreOS' (Probably forced into DFU mode externally)

AC recognizes the Mac Mini, and the restore works up until Step 4/4, "Installing System", where it pauses halfway and then gives that error.

At that point I can see via the status light on the Mac Mini that it goes from a normal boot (white) to DFU mode again (solid amber) randomly, and AC sort of flickers at this point as well and then complains about the Mac Mini being in DFU (instead of RestoreOS).

I guess this could be something fried on the board, but I wouldn't know where to start because the only apparent issue being that it just randomly dips out of RestoreOS and back to DFU is very odd.

I've heard this error (4014) can be a faulty cable, but I've tried a lot of different ones, including a genuine Apple USB-C cable. I may buy a brand new one and try again.

Do you know of any software or hardware issues this could be? It seems like a simple issue but with no real rhyme or reason to it. Even if you just have a hunch, any tips on where I should look next would be greatly appreciated.

⟐ Answered August 07, 2025 at 7:55 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Bypass Activation Lock by replacing Logic Board?

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:35:31 -0700

I recently made the dumb decision of buying a Mac Mini that is locked. I was not well informed when it comes to Macs and thought I could reset it easily like windows, that is not the case.

Would replacing the Logic Board of the Mac Mini A2348 bypass the Activation Lock? I keep finding contradicting answers so any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated!

⟐ Commented July 28, 2025 at 18:35 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Might it be possible to Mod this new model to have it run on DC?

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 21:43:28 -0700

Previous generations of Mac Mini had mods released that enabled them to be run off a 12V DC input - effectively bypassing the internal AC/DC power supply. This was popular amongst the audio crowd as it eliminated electrical hum from the power supply circuitry but also great for those wanting to run the Mini off of external batteries, which is what I want to do.

is the new design too tightly integrated to do this? Does it have different voltage requirements anyway making it more awkward to supply with power?

⟐ Commented September 23, 2024 at 21:43 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: How can I tell that my drives are SSD in Sonoma

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 16:24:07 -0700

Since I've installed Sonoma , I have no way of identifying the drives attached are SSD or HDD

I know for a fact that they are SSD , but I've tried disk utility and system report etc.

The way of knowing has disappeared from the OS

It is quite useful as I have loads of drives inside external usb casings that aren't labelled

⟐ Answer edited June 28, 2024 at 16:24 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Is the housing for the M2 Mac mini compatible with the M1?

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 06:51:54 -0700

I would like to change the unibody housing for my Mac mini M1 (Late 2020); spare part no. 923-04716 is available from the self-repair store.

I could currently get a defective Mac mini M2 from a friend for spare parts - is the unibody case of the M2 identical to the M1? Because the relevant spare part for the M2 can be found under the number 923-07534.

I would be pleased to receive an answer to my question.

Kind regards

⟐ Answered June 21, 2024 at 6:51 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: M1 Mac mini status light removal

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 07:34:57 -0700

Has anyone ever removed the status light from a Mac mini M1 generation? The bracket that holds it in there seems pretty firm. Wonder if the acetone will desolve it so I can remove the bracket? I have a project we need a custom colored Mac mini so we care going to paint it, but would like to preserve the LED not just pain over it. I got a used enclosure to test on. Thnx.....

⟐ Edited February 24, 2024 at 7:34 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Hard Drive and Memory Upgrade

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 01:52:41 -0700

Can the hard drive and memory be upgraded in the Mac Mini with the M1 chip?

⟐ Commented December 18, 2023 at 1:52 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: CNC a hole in the lid, would it improve bluetooth connectivity?

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 01:22:41 -0700

The Mac mini has been plagued with bluetooth issues for a number of years. With many people suggesting that the thick alloy case being part of the issue.

If one was to CNC a large opening at the top of the case, and replace the removed alloy with a perspex cover. Do you think that could improve bluetooth connectivity and its related issues? Or is it just a case of poor quality control when it comes to Apple Bluetooth controllers?

⟐ Answered September 12, 2023 at 1:22 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: 2020 Mac Mini - 3.5 MM audio jack power output?

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 14:14:26 -0700

Did anyone know the power output on the 3.5mm jack on 2020 and later Mac Mini's?

⟐ Answered August 27, 2023 at 14:14 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: I lost my pasword

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:10:22 -0700

i need accsess to my data.

⟐ Answered July 24, 2023 at 9:10 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: I need help with my Mac Mini

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 02:53:20 -0700

Well my Mac Mini was slow. So I formated it. When I was creating a login for the computer, the energy fell, I was like “oh okay then I will wait it to return” then after it returned it was like if I already set it up. I said “oh okay I’ll just put the password that I chosen” it did not work. Then I tried to reset it from my iCloud but It did not work it seems that it’s not in my iCloud but it’s appearing there, so I’m stuck with a Mac Mini that has a password witch is not the one that I have chosen and my iCloud can’t reset the password. If anyone can help before I bring it to an thecnical assistance I’ll be grateful

Thanks!

I finally got it unlocked but now I have another problem.

It’s in Portuguese because I’m from Brazil. So it’s now saying “the version of macOS in the disk selected needs to be reinstalled, Use the recuperation tool to reinstall macOS or select another disk to initializate”

Then there is two buttons the first one “recuperation” and the other one “disk initiation”

Thank you guys so much for help, today I’ll bring the Mac Mini to an Apple Store to see if they can fix it, again thank you so much for the help!

⟐ Edited by author April 17, 2023 at 2:53 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Delete Time machine files?

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 16:52:14 -0700

Mac Mini M1 - I made the mistake of moving old backup file in time machine to the trash and it takes forever to delete them. is there a faster way? can I move them back to the time machine disk and delete them from there easier? I was trying to delete the file to clear space for another computer to be added to the Time Machine.

⟐ Answer accepted March 07, 2023 at 16:52 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Mac mini Late 2020 won't boot but has yellow light indicator

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:06:09 -0700

Why Mac mini Late 2020 won't boot but has yellow light indicator, no video

⟐ Answer edited November 28, 2022 at 12:06 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Device stalls at Choose Startup Disk - no options provided, spins

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 14:26:21 -0700

At power on, system chimes, logo briefly appears, then Choose Startup Disk. Select the system you want to use to start your computer has no options. Spinning circle, Restart button grayed out. Also does not recognize bluetooth mouse. Using plugged in keyboard. Tried commands and power up options with no difference. Will not enter any type of recovery. Keyboard worked initially to select language. Thought of installing new HD but see that is not an option. Am I left with a brick?

⟐ Answered September 22, 2022 at 14:26 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Can you add a second drive inside the M1 Mac Mini

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 13:14:36 -0700

so, we know the older Mac Mini even with the soldered in memory and hard drives had a second port where you could add a second drive (HDD/SSD).

My question is for the M1 Mac Mini is there still an internal port where you can add a second drive?

⟐ Answer edited August 16, 2022 at 13:14 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: How to clean dust from 2020+ Mac Mini case?

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 21:08:59 -0700

Based on the new ‘not-accessible’ for upgrades/replacements design that has become common for Apple designs, how does one check and if needed, remove dust from the cabinet and cooling fan for proper maintenance? (The bottom plate obviously CAN be removed… but not as easily as the 2012 and 2014 models!) Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

⟐ Answer accepted July 14, 2021 at 21:08 MST

Mac mini Late 2020: Do I have the Late 2018 Mac mini?

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 09:42:26 -0700

Do I have the “Late” 2018 Mac Mini, or regular?

⟐ Answered February 11, 2021 at 9:42 MST